Chapter 12: Class Claims: Real Estate Racism Summary and Analysis

When Bell first was interested in purchasing real estate in New York City, she was told that buildings that were all white had more to do with class than with race. Though she was upper-middle-class at the time, properties with all-white residency that she showed an interest in would mysteriously be sold or off the market the next day. Today in the U.S., racial apartheid has become part of society led by the white dominated real estate market. White residents in league with white realtors privately vowed to keep undesirable elements out of their buildings.

The idea that monetary success will allow a person to transcend race in the real estate market is a myth. Agents and residents swear that they are not racists, but at the same time will...